 Today, an article in the USA Today section of the Chicago Sun Times was headlined "Here are 10  Obama environmental policies Trump wants to scrap." A senior administration official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, listed 10 specific policies initiated by President Obama that President Trump will attempt to undo. They deal with coal mining, fracking, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
As I read through them, I could see that many of the actions will put an end to President Obama's cold-hearted "War on Coal." I'm sure  you've heard of this war that our former President was waging against coal miners and the coal mining industry. Candidate Trump and a number of Republican candidates from certain states got a lot of campaign mileage out of that battle cry.
The idea of a President of the United States personally waging a  war to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of coal mining families as well as their benevolent employers and all those well-intentioned coal industry stockholders is shocking to contemplate. Barack Obama seems like a nice enough fellow. Friendly smile, good dad. What would lead him to pursue something so cruel? Who can say?
But this is not the first time such a war has been waged by our government against hard working industrialists and their employees. At the turn of the century there was the disgraceful "War on Chicago  Meat Packing Plants." The enterprising packing plant owners were efficiently using the God-given natural resources of Chicago to economically dispose of their industry's unsellable blood and entrail leftovers. The South Fork of the Chicago River's South Branch was perfect for the task. Over the years that part of the river gained the picturesque name, "Bubbly Creek." You can imagine why. Today, that location still bubbles a little as a sad reminder of that past vendetta against free enterprise.
And in my lifetime I can remember "The War on DDT Production." Ahh, those balmy summer nights when we kids would  run through those mysterious clouds billowing behind the spray trucks. It's sad our children missed such fun. But once again anti-free-enterprise forces started attacking this prosperous chemical-making activity. Claims of dangers to certain bird species (as well as to our human species) led to the government "declaring war" and before long most uses for DDT were forbidden. Who know how many jobs were lost? Not to mention all that money.
And who can forget "The War on Asbestos." It caused a great household name, Johns Manville, to virtually disappear from  everyday language - no more asbestos insulation, siding, flooring, wallboard... and of course a lot less asbestos mining. There are, however, some asbestos products still sold in our U.S.A. (one of the only major countries without a total asbestos ban). And I suspect if there had been as many asbestos miners in key voting states then as there are coal miners today, ending the War on Asbestos might be one more activity our new President would be claiming.
So now our dynamic President Trump is taking steps to end the War on Coal along with other potential battlefield skirmishes like fracking and oil pipelines near aquifers, carbon belching power plants, and pessimistic climate change studies. The Trump Administration is basically retreating from any environmental policies that might get in the way of prolonging the energy industry's profits for years into the future. This is what some would proudly call continuing to promote unfettered free enterprise - a free market approach.
Ah yes, the free market approach. Ever notice that energy industry billionaires like the Koch Brothers are proud supporters of groups  like the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) or the Liberty PAC? These powerful, well-financed think tanks purport to be intellectual centers for the promotion of  scholarly conservative economics. But as the great Keynesian economist John Kenneth Galbraith said, "The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."
What players like the Koch Brothers admire about the economic doctrine of the AEI and think tanks of similar ilk is it clearly supports making money no matter what the consequences for the public. Sure, the rationale is that the wealth generated by these captains of industry will eventually trickle down to all of us in the economy.
But in the years I've lived since Ronald Reagan formally  introduced this economic approach, the number of U.S. billionaires has risen from 13 to 540! And today the top one-tenth of one percent of our population (324 thousand people) own almost as much wealth as the bottom ninety percent (292 million people). Witnessing this has not made me a believer in Reaganomics or in the pronouncements of the American Enterprise Institute. (I know some local folks might disagree.)
So, now President Trump is busy ending "wars" he doesn't like -- wars that impact the bottom line of his friends.
And, since the number of
such wars is going down, I suggest there's room for a new war.
Our country and our state have been going through years of polarization, caused in large part by legislators clinging to rigid ideological views that make reasonable discussion and compromise virtually impossible. We don't need that gridlock at any level of government -- including in our local institutions. So I believe the time is overdue for America to declare a new war for the good of everyone. Let's declare a War on rigid Ideologues wherever they may be.
Nels Howard
NTDO member since 1973
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These are the two websites I implore you to visit before you leave this newsletter. They will give you a a much clearer picture of what is going on behind the unusual local election campaign being waged in New Trier:
The first website was created by
"The Wilmette Friends."
It has a clear (and short) explanation of why these local residents are supporting specific candidate slates. It also offers information on each recommended candidate, a list of the supporters and an invitation to join them.
To visit that website
click here.
The second website has a compelling trailer to a crowd-funded film now in production titled "New Trier - Tip of the Spear."
(It should be appearing at the Wilmette theater soon.) The trailer does a fascinating job of connecting the dots between what may be dark outside money and our local community elections. It's only about 3-minutes long but it packs a wallop.
To visit that website click here.
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Don't Forget -- April 4 is
New Trier Township Election Day!
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Have you visited Senator Biss' website "The Road Back" --
click on the link to his video -- then, throughout the summer follow his plan's development on the website.
Daniel explains a lot about how Illinois got where it is today and how we can begin the journey on the road back toward achieving our state's tremendous economic potential.
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Other upcoming events and news items:
Thursday, March 30 in Chicago -
Tell Gov. Rauner: "Do Your Job!"
When:
Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 5:00 - 8:00pm
Where: Hilton Chicago Hotel, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
What: Protest hosted by Illinois Working Together, AFSCME Council 31, SEIU, Citizen Action/Illinois and other groups at Rauner's "Governor's Dinner" fundraiser for himself and other Republican politicians.
For more information or to RSVP register online
Thursday, April 6 in Winnetka --
a Chelsea Clinton Book Signing
 When:Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 6:30pm
Wherer: The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka
What: The Book Stall presents a book signing with Chelsea Clinton to celebrate the paperback release of Ms. Clinton's New York Times bestselling book for young people, It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going! This is a ticketed event. Purchase of the book is required to enter the signing line. For additional information or to RSVP, register online, email [email protected] or call 847-446-8880. If ordering online, add "Attending the April 6th event." in the Comments field
Wednesday, April 19 in Chicago -- ICPR Presents
the Mikva Award to Hon. Adlai and Nancy Stevenson
ICPR Presents Mikva Award to Hon. Adlai and Nancy Stevenson
When
: Wednesday, April 19, from Noon - 1:30pm
Where
: Petterino's, 150 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
What
: Judge Mary Mikva will join The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) to present the Stevensons with The Mikva Legacy Award For Truth and Justice for their extensive work in Illinois through advocacy, public service, and the Stevenson Center on Democracy.
You can RSVP online or call ICPR at 312-436-1274 for questions.
Start making plans now for
the Peoples Climate March on April 29 in Washington D.C.
When: Saturday, April 29, 9:00 AM -3:00 PM
Where: Washington D.C.
On Saturday, April 29 in our nation's capital and across the country, marchers will stand together to demand that Donald Trump act in a meaningful way to address the climate crisis and stop attacking the hard-won protections for all our communities, especially people of color, indigenous people, women, and more. Together, we can show the world that we demand climate action. To sign up for the Washington march click here. -- (More details for events across the country to follow.)
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Your Legislators:
 Democratic Legislators
who represent New Trier Township in
Washington, Springfield and Cook County
You'll be hearing a lot from these exceptional public servants. --
And they want to be hearing a lot from you.
The fact is, they need to hear from you and want to hear from you in order to represent you most effectively. So, the first thing you can do is get to know who these people are. The links below to their campaign websites are a good place to start.
Jan Schakowsky
, 9th U.S. Congressional District Representative
and Chief Deputy House Democratic Whip. The new Ninth District boundaries include all of New Trier except for Glencoe.
Brad Schneider
, 10th U.S. Congressional District Representative which includes a number of precincts in Glencoe.
Daniel Biss,
State Senator for Illinois' 9th State Senate District.The Ninth District includes all of New Trier Township.
Julie Morrison, State Senator for Illinois' 29th State Senate District. The district includes New Trier's northernmost precincts.
Robyn Gabel,
IL 18th District State Representative. The 18th District includes much of New Trier up to Hazel Avenue and Dundee Road.
Laura Fine
, IL 17th District State Representative.
The 17th District includes the East Glenview and West Wilmette areas of New Trier Township.
Scott Drury
,
IL 58th District State Representative.
The 58th District includes the northernmost precincts in Glencoe.
Larry Suffredin, Cook County 13th District Commissioner. The 13th District includes all of New Trier, Evanston and Niles Townships.
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| Dear Fellow Democrats, If you are not already an NTDO member, and enjoy our Newsletter, we hope you consider joining us as a dues-paying member. NTDO is a not-for-profit political action organization. We depend on our membership dues to support our Democratic causes and candidates. There are two options for dues payments: by check or credit card. By Check: Make check payable to NTDO and mail to our office: NTDO 800 Oak St., Suite 112 Winnetka, IL 60093 OR By Credit Card: visit our website by clicking here Click on the "Get Involved" tab
Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly there by clicking here.
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Still not a member of the New Trier Dems? Your participation in grassroots political action will make a difference. -- Come join us.
 When you're a member of the New Trier Democratic Organization, you have an active role in affecting the political process; participating in grassroots campaigns, staying in touch with elected officials, playing a role in deciding which candidates are endorsed. You'll also gain free admission to select forums and events throughout the year.
Come be a part of New Trier's grassroots political community.
About Us:
The New Trier Democratic Organization is made up of hundreds of grassroots volunteers dedicated to advancing progressive ideals through the political process. We welcome your participation.
Sincerely,
Dean T. Maragos, Committeeman New Trier Township
We are located at 800 Oak Street in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
*This Internet communication paid for by the New Trier Democratic Organization and not authorized by any federal or state candidate or campaign committee. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is available for purchase from the State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois.
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